Exeter sign Australia prop Greg Holmes from Queensland Reds

Exeter sign Queensland Reds’ and Australia prop Greg Holmes on a two-year contract from the summer of 2016

The 32-year-old has spent his entire career at the Australian Super Rugby franchise

He has won 24 caps for the Wallabies

Wallaby Greg Holmes says he is relishing the challenge that lies ahead after he sealed his move to Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs today.

The 32-year-old tight-head moves to Sandy Park from the start of next season, joining from Super Rugby outfit Queensland Reds where he has spent his whole career, making 132 Super Rugby appearances since making his debut in 2005.

With 24 caps for the Wallabies also in his locker, the experienced Holmes is head coach Rob Baxter’s first foray into squad strengthening for next term.

“I’ve been in Queensland all my career so it’s going to be a different challenge for me.,” said Holmes. “Right now I feel a little bit nervous, but at the same time excited about what lies ahead.

“I’m at the stage where I wanted to try something a bit different and having spoken to my wife about it, this was a great opportunity for us to do that.”

Exeter boss Rob Baxter admitted he was thrilled to get the deal done, praising Holmes for his ability and experience.

“We watched a lot of his games for Queensland and the games he featured for Australia in the Rugby World Cup and anyone who looked at Australia’s scrum will see they were one of the most destructive units in the tournament and Greg played a large part in that,”

“Since then I have looked at a lot of his games and he looks like a guy who has a lot left in the tank and he’s running around playing a lot of good rugby.

“We’re big believers here at the club of developing young English players, but I’ve said before part of the way you develop those young players is with the people who they meet and the people they have time with.

“There is no doubt our other front-rowers will benefit from having Greg around, but at the same time he’s very determined to be successful in his own right,” Baxter added.

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